After seeing the furore about the current cost of heating oil in Britain I looked at our local supplier’s price here in France.
Up from 1,05 per litre in January to 1,78 per litre today. So an extra €700 on a 1000 litre delivery.
Is such a rise justified?
Have you been following the subject in the French Press etc.
Fuel of all sorts is quite a hot topic at the moment.
It’s made the decision I’ve been prevaricating on simpler. New chauffe eau is effectively free compared to putting 1000l in the tank.
Been putting that job off for years.
Just the joy of cellars and 60 odd kilos down the steps to face this weekend now
I also replaced the hot-water function of our oil-fired boiler but elected for a 110.litre thermodynamique heater. Sufficient for 2 people but valved in in such a way that the boiler can be used if needed in exceptional conditions.
Same plan - bar bigger tank and not thermodynamic. Tanks for the house more than us hence 250l - and it was half price.
But installing it in series - so the “boiler” is still there if needed
I am interested as to what you refer to as a thermodynamic heater? The ones I have found referenced on line are small air sourced heat pumps for hot water systems.
Last year I took out an oil fired heating/hot water system and installed a medium temperature heat pump that provides both heating and hot water; I am very pleased with its performance. At the same time I installed 6KW of photovoltaic solar panels.
Yes, stand alone using heat pump technology. Up to 300l, although we have smaller one but if more people in the house we just up the temperature which then gives us more hot water. It reduced our bills as no longer need chaudière on all year. Like others we could still use hot water function of chaudière if we had to.
When the oil fired chaudière gives up the ghost we will replace it with something more energy efficient, but it’s still working fine.
We have an oil fired boiler for our underfloor heating and hot water. We hope to install a heat pump but we were waiting until after we had submitted our first French tax return so we could ask for state aid for the change. Fortunately we have alternative heating and about a quarter tank of oil left for water heating. There are reports that the orange idiot is contemplating sending 10,000 troops. Around ten times that number were employed in Iraq. Just hope the idiot can find a way to claim a victory and withdraw. Not sure what we will do if this carries on as far as our water heating goes. I’m wondering how long it takes to get a quote on change to heat pump pending state aid which I believe is still several thousand Euros.
Why not a solar water heater? Savings on oil might go a decent chunk towards cost.
The amount will depend on your overall income. And for solar you can get up to €10,000 if revenue for a couple under €25,000, but drops as your revenue increases. However can’t start until you have a tax return and RFR I believe, so will be the autumn if you are submitting first return now. You might find someone to give you a quote, but unlikely to be valid by autumn as usually only for 3 months validity.
Solar is expensive so look at pay back period.
And as ever, the first approach is reduce your usage by all means possible.
Agreed but it seems having a cylinder with just an extra coil in it nearly trebles the cost of the cylinder. Please tell me if I am wrong and where to get a more reasonably priced version.
I’d like to do a diy solar power installation and pay someone to connect it into my house electrics. I am thinking about a ground installation. Professional installation makes up most of the cost. Panels producing 500w can be had for 70 odd Euros. I realise there would be no state funding for diy solar. Solar water heating I haven’t really looked into yet. I imagine it would be well worth it but not sure if electric heating using solar is easier.
Good idea about a ground installation. Several advantages, including avoiding the problem firefighters have with a roof fire - it’s difficult to get water under the panels.